US surgeon streams operation via Google Glass

A surgeon at The Ohio State University recently performed a routine knee surgery wearing Google Glass. Streaming live video footage from the operating room, the demonstration showcased some of the ways in which Glass could be useful in the operating room.

After Dr. Ismail Nabeel managed to obtain one of the few Glass test units, he decided to partner with colleague Dr. Christopher Kaeding to demonstrate how wearable computing devices such as Google's highly anticipated device could change the way operations are performed.

Kaeding performed a routine knee ligament surgery while wearing Glass, which enabled him to stream live video to colleagues, who consulted with them, and to a group of medical students at Ohio State, who watched the surgery on their laptops as it unfolded in real time.

Wearable computing devices such as Glass have aroused the interest of the medical community because they could have interesting implications in several aspects of patient care.

Aside from enhancing medical education, Google Glass could be used to spread time-critical medical expertise in areas that are hard to reach. Inside the operating room, it could even allow surgeons to call up X-rays or MRI images of their patients in real time, or consult with the relevant specialist remotely and in real time.

The video below shows Google Glass at work and discusses some of its possible medical applications.

Dario studied software engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin. When he isn't writing for Gizmag he is usually traveling the world on a whim, working on an AI-guided automated trading system, or chasing his dream to become the next European thumbwrestling champion.

Best use I can think of for surgery, is for litigating against the doctor afterwards - you only need to capture a few seconds of "oops" to convince a jury to end his career, and earn millions in damages.

christopher

Litigating against the doctor? Get this, Christopher - human beings make mistakes! The point to distinguish is if they messed up something they really should know, or if it was a simple mistake. Most of the time, it's a simple mistake. Doctors are always learning things that weren't taught in universities, but this technology could nip even that in the bud!